We have a lot of opinions over here!
Posted by
Dave
Sun Tzu quote, from the Art of War, more than 2000 years ago.
If you liked that, you'll like some of this work…
Posted by
Claudine
Regina Spektor's new music video came out a few weeks ago, and both the music and images have been dancing around inside my head. Because I spend my days caught up in finding the right words for Fusion clients, it's nice to give that wordy part of my brain a rest when the work day is over. That's when I turn to activities like baking and cutting up books and magazines for collage.
Both have a meditative quality. You have to focus on what you're doing in the moment, or you'll mess up the cookies or slice off a finger with an X-acto knife.
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Here's one of the images from the video that inspired me to try my own version, below, made with a photo of my daughter and art cut from a book of botanical art and pictures from children's dictionaries and Golden Press science volumes from the 1960s.
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I also searched for information about the video's director, Margo Weathers, with hopes of seeing more of her work. As it turns out, her background is in advertising, where she worked for Macy's and Nieman Marcus. I love her creative and fun take on fashion. View her portfolio at tribeunited.com/profile/individual/margo-weathers_1/
Posted by
Dave
People love to look at people. When you show faces, you grab attention. When you show most anything else, you lose attention.
EyeTrackShop is a crowd-sourcing research firm that employs people all around the world to look at advertising or store fronts or anything you like. These lookers around the globe use web-cams with technology that has been calibrated to their eyes and look at your ad for you in their spare time. The collaboration of all these views gives you a good feel for what is and what isn’t attracting attention in your ad or on your online page.
As well, they have shown that the best place for your ad in an online page is top left above the fold (print lingo for what’s showing on the screen before you scroll down).
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I found these photos in an article by Zoe Fox, writing for Mashable. I then went to the EyeTrackShop website for more on the technology. You can sign up to have ads checked or you can licence the technology. I would worry that the viewers might eventually or even at the beginning, be biased, but I’d have to read more on EyeTrackShop’s due diligence before recommending it. They do control for a number of potential biases like time of day, gender and media outlet.
They have coined the term “realCPM” to take the guesswork out of ad placements. They translate what the ad company says you are getting into what you are really getting. Of course, this doesn't directly relate to successful selling, but it certainly is a good starting point. Banner ads do best, followed by left then right placements above the fold.
The report you receive shows the percent of people who saw the ad, how long they looked at it, how long it took for them to notice it and if they recall your brand later on.
Have a look at these sample test images. Faces!
If you liked that, you'll like some of this work…
Posted by
Gagan
Let me start by paying homage to legendary Freddie Mercury and his rock band Queen. Among all the songs produced by the band, "Bohemian Rhapsody" remains my favorite and for millions around the world. It’s an extraordinary piece with the legendary performances that are tough to replicate.
Okay, all those who haven’t heard the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, raise your hands. Anyone? Great!
And all those who haven’t heard the ‘Brand Rhapsody’, raise your hands. Okay, put all your hands down! Here it is: Click Here.
Yes, it’s a parody. Making of this radio spot was so much fun and enlightening experience.
As unnerving as it could be to do a parody on legendary Bohemian Rhapsody, our own in-house virtuosos made it a breeze. With Barrett on vocals and Kathryn on piano the spot was recorded in just a few takes at our friendly neighbourhood studio Dacapo.
It’s amazing to work along with people who are so gifted and have such enriching and interesting lives. From Price is Right winner, whale saver, car builder, ace pilot, cup-cake connoisseur, Western Canadian Kung Fu winner, marathon runner to Mixed Martial Art trainer and of course our own Canadian Idol Finalist and Opera singer, we’re proud to have such talent on board and I’m sure their mamas are proud too.
This blog would have been completed anyways, without a little help from friends at Fusion.
Special thanks to Brooke for sending me encouraging email reminders with original slogans; ‘Yes, You can do it!’ to write this blog post in time.
Heartfelt thanks to Lorraine for giving me the guilt of letting the team down if I didn’t write in time.
Notable mention: Claudine, Flo and Andrea for cornering me around the water cooler and checking the update on writing.
Last but not the least my dear friend Kathryn for walking into my office and offering help.
Thanks for all the confidence, team!
In the order of appearance from left to right: Leightons' shoe, Barrett, Kathryn and Gagan (behind the camera).
If you liked that, you'll like some of this work…
Posted by: Carleen | October 26, 2012
Posted by: Claudine | October 26, 2012
Posted by
Brooke
When I think of Georgia O'Keefe's art, I think of beautiful, pastel-coloured flowers, animal skulls and feathers. Few know that she created 20 paintings inspired by a stay in Hawaii. I came across these paintings as postcards at a souvenir shop in Hilo and thought I would share the story.
In 1939, O'Keefe was commissioned for a national ad campaign by the New York Ad Agency N.W. Ayer (Mad Men anyone?!) on behalf of their client, the Dole Pineapple Co. The 3-month trip was all-expenses paid in exchange for 2 canvases on anything that was inspired from her trip (but the expectation was that the paintings would be of pineapples, of course).
She started in Honolulu but the story goes that she became annoyed by Dole's staff giving direction and not allowing her to fully research and explore what Hawaii had to offer. Apparently, Dole gave her a cored and sliced pineapple to paint rather than allowing her to stay in the plantation workers' camp.
It wasn't until she traveled to Hana, Maui, where she got more of an authentic experience. Hosted by 12-year old Patricia Jennings, daughter of a Hana sugar plantation manager, O'Keefe had the opportunity to explore the "real" Hawaii. The two forged a special bond that would last a lifetime.
Left: Georgia's host, 12-year-old Patricia Jennings / Right: Georgia in Hawaii
(Courtesy of: San Francisco Chronicle)
The 20 paintings show little of pineapples but feature amazing images of waterfalls, coastline, valleys and tropical flowers. Ironically, O'Keefe submitted a painting of a papaya tree and a painting of a heliconia flower to Dole! They were disappointed, to say the least, expecting a typical view of a pineapple. She later submitted "Pineapple Bud" which appeared in the Dole ad in 1940.
The Dole Co. ad (Courtesy of: San Francisco Chronicle)
“If my painting is what I have to give back to the world for what the world gives to me, I may say that these paintings are what I have to give at present for what three months in Hawai‘i gave to me.”
Photo Source: Style Pacifica
Info Sources: San Francisco Chronicle | Hawaii Magazine | Style Pacifica
If you liked that, you'll like some of this work…
Posted by: Kara | April 26, 2013
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